Chapter 3

I have to warn Jaime and Steve! Oscar thought to himself. God, he didn't want to do that! He didn't want to have to 'warn' anyone about Russ - not intelligent, capable, level-headed Russ! But Oscar had to face facts. The young man who had just punched a doctor in a federally-owned hospital (a felony) was not the same Russ he'd been working with for years. Something was distorting his thinking. Concussion? PTSD? Mind control?! Oscar tried his best to toss the last possibility aside; it was too awful...and seemingly impossible. And yet...

''We came as soon as we finished making our statements,'' Rudy said, entering Oscar's office with Michael close behind.

''I've issued an APB,'' Oscar said (almost inaudibly).

''Oscar...I'm so sorry,'' Michael told him. ''I shouldn't have let him go.''

Oscar shook his head. ''You didn't let him; I know that. Are you alright?''

''I will be.''

Oscar looked at Rudy - and then did a double-take. The older doctor's face was void of most of its color and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. By itself, this wouldn't be overly worrisome...but it had been less than six weeks since Rudy had suffered an 'incident' with his heart on the night Cobra had taken over National Medical. ''Rudy,'' Oscar began carefully, ''when was the last time you had a physical?''

''I've suggested he take some time off,'' Michael told Oscar. ''You'd think I'd asked him to cut off an arm.''

Rudy shook his head sadly; they were wasting time. ''We can talk about this after we find Russ,'' he insisted. ''Have you called Steve and Jaime yet? In case he tries to contact them...''

''They may even be able to help,'' Oscar surmised.

''Oscar!'' Michael warned.

''I don't mean working this, like a mission; just that some fresh insight might be valuable.''

Within the hour, Jaime and Steve were in Oscar's office. They'd been told nothing over the phone except that he needed to see them - and it was urgent. Quickly (aided by Michael and Rudy), Oscar filled them in...and they were stunned. ''So while we don't know what's going on with him,'' Oscar summarized, ''it's clearly dangerous for him to be out there on his own.''

''And you need us to find him!'' Jaime stated.

''No!'' Steve, Michael and Rudy all told her at nearly the same time.

''What I need, Babe, is your input,'' Oscar explained. ''Yours and Steve's. And I wanted you to be aware of the situation...in case Russ tries to contact you.''

''One thing I can tell you,'' Steve said slowly, ''is if Kingsley had a hand in this - even though he's dead now - this could get uglier than any of us can possibly imagine.''

Nemesis/Kingsley looked in the mirror...and smiled. Even if he was somehow spotted, they would never recognize him now. (It was amazing what you could buy, when money was not a problem!) He hadn't been in Mexico for very long, but he was already growing restless - and eager to begin the next phase of his plan. He would toy with the woman - 'Jaime' - until she was too terrorized to move or function any longer...the way a cat toys with a mouse before the kill. He'd let her wallow in that fear for awhile, with her boyfriend/husband (what the hell was he to her, anyhow?) forced to watch, unable to help or comfort her. Killing her would almost be merciful by the time he was through with her - and Nemesis had no mercy - so he would kill the man in front of her instead. He would draw out her torture for as long as possible, simply because he could...and because it was fun.

Russ had no idea where he was - and no memory of how he'd gotten there. Confused and frightened, he pulled out his datacom, intending to radio Oscar for help but when he turned it on, he heard the All Points Bulletin...for himself! Felonious Assault and Battery! (What the hell?) Up until now, he'd only experienced a few momentary black-outs; easily hidden, covered up and ignored. Now it appeared that Michael and Rudy (and yes, Oscar) has been right, after all. This was serious. He had harmed someone...and as hard as he tried, Russ had absolutely no memory of it. Who had he hurt? And where could he go for help? Would anyone be able to help him now...or would he be sent straight to jail (or - he shuddered to even think of it - the NSB's 'Hole')? Russ hunkered down for awhile in his car, listening to his datacom and hoping for any sort of a clue as to what was going on...but no more information was forthcoming. He needed to know...and he needed help!

With very few options open to him now, Russ found a payphone, threw in a pocketful of change...and dialed Jaime's number. Steve answered the phone and Russ drew a deep, steadying breath. ''Steve...it's Russ...''